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theprof00 on 01 June 2013
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Kasz216 said:


The goal was, as long as Russia didn't invade, it was a one front war.  Japan could load all their troops into the invasion point, and eventually meatgrind their way into peace.

The specific sources you are talking about specifically talk about how Togo and the cabinenet WOULD NOT accept unconditional surrender, even if it protected the emperor.

I was talking about the actual russian sources behind those specific negotiations.

 

On the 17th, Sato the ambassador says to the japanese government "Keep in mind the unconditional surrender I propose only comes in the emperor is preserved.

On the 21st Togo replies back "The government will never allow unconditional surrender."

 

So unless you think he's like the average poster here... it's pretty obvious Togo was unwilling to allow unconditional surrender no matter what happened to the emperoer.

 

The Japanese ambassador is BEGGING For unconditional surrender on the basis that the Emperor remains safe... and the government says... "Not going to happen."

 

Edit: In fact.  If you just want to read directly...

http://www.gwu.edu/~nsarchiv/NSAEBB/NSAEBB162/40.pdf 

Ah I see now.

Wow, well, in that case, Togo really really dropped the ball.